8 Incredible Reasons to Eat Star Anise

Star Anise is an aromatic, liquorice- flavored spice that is widely used in Indian, Malay, Chinese, and Indonesian cuisine. As with all herbs, it is not only a culinary delight but has some powerful medicinal properties. Find it in the spice aisle of your local grocery store, preferably organic.

1. Star Anise has antibacterial, anti-viral properties and helps to fight infection. Almost all of the world’s star anise crop is used for extraction of shikimic acid, the chemical used in the synthesis of Tamiflu. Can you imagine how much safer it must be to use the unadulterated, whole food form of the medicine? This herb is indicated specifically for the flu, sinus infections and bronchial infections. Take it at the first sign of illness and each day you are ill, preferably in the tea form. See my recipe below.

2. It has compounds such as creosol and alpha-pimene that clear mucus from air passages, soothe a sore throat, and make dry, irritating coughs more productive. The Greeks used to make teas with it to help asthma and other respiratory ailments.

3. Alleviates constipation.

4. It is carminitive (relieves gas) and is good for indigestion.

5. Is helpful for PMS and menopausal symptoms, and gently encourages childbirth.

6. Supplies calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and five B vitamins.

7. The seeds from this powerfully scented herb have been used as a tea for thousands of years to help treat bad breath.

8. Star Anise contains a compound called anethol, which has been reported to increase sex drive in women.

Here we used star anise to make a flavorful immune boosting tea with a handful of Wisconsin chaga mushroom chunks, 1 cinnamon bark stick, and 1/4 cup of elderberries in a stock pot.  If you want a no fuss, ready-to-go star anise option, check out my organic Star Anise tincture. 

Explore the many culinary applications to get the benefits of this wonderful medicine provided by nature!

Warmly,

Megan Normansell, CHC, AADP, CFH

Certified Holistic Practitioner/Holistic Nutrition/Herbalist/Wild Edibles Guide

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Get the answers you’ve been searching for, and heal your body for good… naturally.  We have successfully helped thousands of people across the country live a healthier life than they ever could have imagined, and specialize in dozens of different health concerns. Curious? Schedule your complimentary consultation with me today! Read the incredible reviews we’ve received over the years here.

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*please consult your herbalist or other health care practitioner before beginning a new herbal regimen like these.

Copyright Megan Normansell 2018 All rights reserved. 

Cilantro Detox for Cilantro Haters (and lovers!)

You see this picture?  It pains me. Deep down to my very soul. Why?  The acrid odor filling my kitchen. Even worse- the FLAVOR.  Oh the terrible flavor!

You see,  I am a part of a rather large group of people who DESPISES cilantro. Apparently there’s some sort of gene that  makes you either deeply adore the flavor or be completely repulsed by it.  Now, I love the IDEA of it.  Cilantro really is such a gift- it gently chelates heavy metals like mercury, lead, and aluminum from the body. It contains phytochemicals that are antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, shown in studies to destroy salmonella and the common cold. It’s anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant. Studies have shown it fights various forms of cancer. It’s been shown to have a calming effect, and be beneficial for sleep and anxiety.

So how do you get the benefits if you don’t particularly look forward to eating it?

My husband got the DTaP shot last year, so I promptly put him on a regimen of encapsulated cilantro to detox the aluminum, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, polysorbate 80, and mercury found in the shot. Pills are nice, but they do get pricey. And because they are dried and not fresh, you can lose some of the potency over time.

My daughter was also recently lead poisoned from the trim, doors, and bathtub in our home, which led me to try to find an easy way to administer the cilantro to her.

So on my last trip to Woodmans, I bought a giant bunch of fresh organic cilantro. It was really cheap. I’m not about to ruin perfectly good food by seasoning it with the herb, so I figured- hey, why not juice it? Then I can take a quick shot of it with a chaser every day and be done with it. (Honestly, I’d rather do a shot of cheap vodka than a shot of cilantro, but so be it.)

I added a bit of fresh pineapple to liven up the flavor a bit, and it surprisingly ended up making quite a bit of juice. Enzymes, phytochemicals, and good bacteria all intact, love it. I decided to store some in my fridge, and then make frozen cubes with the rest of it to preserve it long term. I love using this preservation method with juices, infusions, herbs, and even my homemade elderberry syrup. (You should see my husband’s face when he goes to the freezer hoping for ice cubes and all he finds is elderberry cubes. He’s probably going to hate me when he sees my new concoction. Ha! Oh, I adore you Matt- sorry!!)

So now I have a long-term supply of concentrated, healing cilantro juice. I made another juice with fresh pineapple and cucumber, and added a bit of the cilantro to it for my daughter. As you can see, she LOVES it. Bottoms up!

Warmly,

Megan Normansell (Kerkhoff), CHC, AADP, CFH

Certified Holistic Practitioner/Holistic Nutrition/Herbalist/Wild Edibles Guide

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more recipes and healthy living ideas!

Get Even Healthier!
Get the answers you’ve been searching for, and heal your body for good… naturally and holistically.  We have successfully helped thousands of people across the country live a healthier life than they ever could have imagined, and specialize in dozens of different health concerns. Curious? Schedule your complimentary consultation with me today! Read the incredible reviews we’ve received over the years here!

http://www.aayushealth.com     –     megan@aayushealth.com    –    920-327-2221